| Comment Number: | 533431-00065 |
| Received: | 2/10/2008 9:52:00 PM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | Jessica Jenkins |
| State: | MN |
| Agency: | Federal Trade Commission |
| Rule: | Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims |
| No Attachments: |
Comments:
Comment Info: ================= General Comment:February 9, 2008 Federal Trade Commission/Office of the Secretary Room H-135 (Annex B) 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20580 Re: Green Guides Regulatory Review, 16 CFR part 260, Comment, Project no. P954501 I am writing in response to the rule proposed on November 27, 2007 by the Federal Trade Commission, found in 72 Fed. Reg. 66091, requesting public comment. This proposed rule is about updating the Green Guide, which is used for marketing, and keeping the manufacturers on the straight and narrow when they claim that they are either using environmentally safe packaging or products. This Guide gives direction about not misleading a consumer, and although this industry guide is an administrative interpretation, an action can be taken against them by the FTC Act if the guide is not followed. This makes the Guide very important. I have no particular specialty in Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, but as an average consumer, who recycles and pays attention to the labels I read, I really appreciate that there are guides out there to deter people from misleading me in my purchases. I do care about the environment and have made small steps on my own to be more environmentally-friendly, but I have not yet educated myself enough to know one thing is right from the other, beyond reading the labels given. In reading this proposed rule, I am only giving you comment on "General Issues" question one. The question reads, "Is there a continuing need for the Guides" Why or why not?" My answer, as a consumer, is yes. It is obvious that there are many deceptions in marketing, and I think that this could easily become one of the exploited mis-marked products that would attract a consumer to buy a particular product. Many people are jumping on the train to advocate for less waste, and this mis-labeling could be drawing people to purchase products that are not what they seem. It is, therefore, my concern as a consumer that the claims printed on a package are true. Again, I sure am glad to know that there is a Guide to help keeps things on the level, and I believe that as long as there is a guide, it should be kept current and continue to be reviewed for accuracy. Every day we can make progress on the issue of waste, but Green marketing has a direct responsibility to keep people truthfully informed about what they are buying. Thank you for your time and for the opportunity to express my appreciation. Jessica Jenkins